The series of studies covering variables of growth and photosynthetic parameters helps to clarify the relationship between individuals of a plant community. The objective of this study was to evaluate the growth, photosynthetic and water use efficiency in four legume trees in a period of three months under conditions of a greenhouse. It was observed that Myroxylon peruiferum showed higher values for the rate of relative growth, the ratio of leaf area and the mass leaf and greater leaf specific area, compared with the other three species. But, this species did not presente the highest photosynthetic rate, as consequence of increased investment in leaf area. All species, except Lonchocarpus muehlbergianus showed the same efficiency in the use of water. Although M. peruiferum does not fix atmospheric nitrogen through symbiosis with rhizobia, it seems to be an efficient species to use the nitrogen available in the soil for the production of biomass.
Centrolobium tomentosum; Inga vera; Lonchocarpus muehlbergianus; Myroxylon peruiferum
